A story about a Panda.

The panda contently chewed on his bamboo branch. This lunch was especially pleasing for the panda. He had been eating small moles and birds for the past few days on account of the recent forest fire that had engulfed his normal resting place. As well as most of his food. The fire has ended though, and he was able to find some untouched bamboo branches.

He has small chunks of fur missing revealing scalded black skin and he is bleeding in a few places. But scars heal and a little bit of pain is hardly a match for the determination of a hungry panda. All of the sudden the panda hears a noise. His ears, which were wiggling happily before, are now pricked back trying to detect any more noises and from what direction they came from.

He hears it again and he sees a black shadow dart from a tree to behind a bush. His suspicions were correct. It is a ninja. The black shadow clan has obviously been on his trail since the fire!

"Panda! I see you have survived the fire," said a voice from the shadows, "Very good. We apologize for the damage it may have caused you. It was merely a gauge of your survival skills. Now, Panda! DEFEND YOURSELF!"

Three silver streaks slice through the air at Panda. Panda deflected one with his razor sharp claws, dodged the second, and caught the third with his mouth. But it was a distraction: The black shadow ninja jumped out of the shadows, katana in hand, towards Panda! Panda got in the infamous “balanced demon” stance, that only he knows. A long time ago, Master Yokusan, had taught Panda his deadly skill but did not teach it to his jealous brother for his heart was filled with anger and hatred.

“I see you have learned well from Master Yokusan,” said the ninja in mid air. Panda did a forward summersault and spin kicked the flying ninja in mid air, knocking him to the ground. The ninja bounced up and threw 5 more deadly ninja stars that streak through the air at panda. Panda deflected them easily with his razor sharp claws.

“Now it is my turn,” says Panda.

Panda unsheathes his legendary “Green Sword of Samurai Glory” and advances slowly towards the ninja then stops. The ninja gets in position to defend then stops. The war is at a stand still for now, each opponent waiting for the other to attack.

The calm before the storm.

Without notice, Panda lunged towards the ninja with all the fury of the panda spirits in his furry panda heart! He slices at the chest of the poorly guarded ninja. It barely manages to cut the skin when the ninja springs back up and attacks panda again!

Blow after blow is blocked professionally by Panda. Sparks fill the air. Sweat and exhaustion overcome Panda when the ninja gets a lucky hit and strikes a painful blow to the stomach of panda, spilling blood. The ninja kicked the face of Panda knocking him backwards.

The Ninja took out a knife and held it to panda’s throat and looked into Panda’s eyes. “Father…?” asked Ninja calmly.

“Son, you have been taught well. Now you must take the legendary Green Sword of Samurai Glory and avenge my death.”

“I will dad.”

The ninja twirled the sword around and then stabbed himself in the throat with his newly acquired sword.